How do you protect yourself from dispatchers

I'm surprised he only lasted two weeks. I would've thought the other dispatchers would enjoy having a good bartender.

 

Dispatchers, or FM's DM's etc are at the same level of the corporate food chain as drivers - they don't like it and don't want to admit it.

Plenty of applicants for their job - not nearly as many for yours.

Many, if not most are making less income than you - they don't like that either.

They usually don't get to choose their driver - and are just assigned. And short of serious issues - cannot have you removed from their boards - nor "fire" you, as many like to bluster.

OTR boards will usually be staffed by newer or less productive dispatchers - while the top dispatchers move to prime accounts, positions, or shifts - so unless you are on one of those top accounts, will never meet them.

On another note, keep in mind the constant pressure cooker they must work in, and constantly have to answer to direct supervisors and other drivers who may anger and berate them.

Back in my time in the corporate world, the saying was "There are no bad employees just weak managers".

Maybe they make a salary, but not much - and depend on performance bonuses and such to make a living. Maybe even per mile production, fuel, and on time bonuses.

Many have to deal with dozens or more drivers with all of their issues, problems, and personalities.

None of that excuses bad behavior, and you shouldn't have to be intimidated by any dispatcher. they are just another employee like you.

 

No offense towards you, but that's just a waste of time. Why on earth drivers stay employed at companies where you'd ever have to dream up something like this is beyond me. If your company treats You like the enemy. Go find another freaking job, is IS just that simple.

 

Just remember, no matter what happens. Plead insanity.

 

Take the dispatcher out on the road with u. Find the worst area to park in tell him not to worry bout the gun fire they might hear. When u deliver make sure its next to a stinking dumpster and have him lump your load. After that cruise into the truck stop but park next to a bull wagon thats fresh. If its winter have hi throw the irons so u can make it over the hill even though its a freaking white out and if they were in their cushy warm dispatch off they would expect u to do it. if flat bedding have.them throw tarps in 110 degree heat or in freezing rain with half frozen tarps with high winds. And top if off with some wonderful choke and puke truck stop food but get the booth next to the guy who hasn't.showered in days and has bad BO. Maybe just maybe they may have a different outlook at what truck drivers do. Lol

 

YES!!! I was thinking the same thing. Why would any one stay and put up with the abuse so many here are talking about? I've had good and bad dispatch/mngrs either work with them of move on.

 

I'm not in the industry yet but going to CDL school in August. I'm coming from a sales background and I've seen many companies that cross train... i.e. Sales rep rides with a service rep to see what they do and the things they deal with. This gave me (Sales Rep) a much greater appreciation for them and helped me communicate better with my customers. He also road with me and he had a better appreciation for what I had to deal with as well. It made us both better at our jobs and our relationship improved dramatically!!

I'm surprised that from what I've seen so far there aren't any trucking companies that do something similar in respect to dispatchers and drivers. I've only been researching the industry for a little over a month now so I'm sure I've only scratched the service of the companies in this industry.